Director of Sacred Music

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the seat of the Diocesan Bishop and the mother church of the Diocese of Rapid City. Throughout the liturgical year, the Cathedral hosts various diocesan liturgical celebrations and special events. Additionally, the Cathedral is an active and vibrant parish family comprised of over thirteen hundred families and engages in a wide variety of ministries and apostolates.

Qualifications: The Director of Sacred Music is a faithful Catholic who demonstrates a love and zeal for the Church's mission; who has a capacity and desire to lead others in the worship of God; who has a desire to form intentional disciples after the heart of Jesus Christ; who can identify and cultivate the gifts and talents of parishioners for service in developing and fostering the beauty of the liturgical life of the Cathedral; who demonstrates a high level of organizational skills and team building abilities; and who has a BS in music, liturgical studies, or similar experience in parish music. Familiarity with music notation software (i.e., MuseScore, Gregorio) and ability to play organ or piano is preferred.

Job Function: Plan, direct, and oversee the sacred music of the Cathedral parish.

Collaborate with the Pastor to plan, direct, develop and oversee the sacred music of Cathedral.
Collaborate with sacred music leaders to oversee and coordinate the recruitment and selection of cantors, choir members, musicians, and the selection of sacred music for all liturgies at the Cathedral.
Prepare music plans and musician schedules for liturgies with singing.
Foster a high standard of liturgical music for all liturgies, in faithfulness to the Church's ideals and documents, and in deference to the pastoral oversight and prudential judgment of the Pastor and Bishop.
Provide ongoing training, renewal, and appreciation for all sacred music ministers.
Assist Cathedral priests and deacons with musical formation as needed.
Prepare monthly stipend reports for musicians and submit to Parish Administrator.

Direct and rehearse the 10:30AM Sunday Mass Mixed Choir; direct, rehearse and accompany the Men's Schola; and oversee or direct choirs for other Masses and special liturgies throughout the year, i.e., Christmas, Holy Triduum and Easter.

Meet with wedding couples to plan wedding liturgy music and assign cantors and accompanists to play for weddings as necessary - stipends are paid to wedding musicians.

Assign musicians for Cathedral funeral liturgies and if necessary, play piano/organ or cantor - stipends are paid to funeral musicians.

Provide occasional catechesis on Sacred Music for the parish community, i.e., bulletin articles, presentations, teachings.

Collaborate with staff members to plan and implement sacred music as it relates to their area of ministry. Collaborate with the Director of Liturgy in preparing Order of Worships for various Masses throughout the year.

Collaborate with the Diocesan Office of Worship to plan and direct music/choirs for diocesan liturgies at Cathedral, i.e., Chrism Mass, Ordinations.

Develop and maintain a library of appropriate sacred music resources.

Oversee and coordinate all other musical events that occur at the Cathedral.

Collaborate with maintenance staff to ensure proper set up for all musical events and all musical aspects of liturgies.

Prepare a yearly budget proposal for sacred music and submit it to the Parish Administrator.

Coordinate regular tuning and maintenance of the Cathedral's pipe organ and pianos.

Attend staff meetings and diocesan meetings that pertain to area of ministry and serve as Music Ministry representative on the Cathedral's Liturgy Committee.

Provides for his/her own spiritual and professional growth. Pursue continuing education and professional development in Sacred Music and Liturgy.